Knock Out Tigdas 2007

“Knock-out Tigdas 2007” is a sequel to the 1998 and 2004 “Ligtas Tigdas” mass measles immunization campaign. All children 9 months to 48 months old ( born October 1, 2003 – January 1,2007) should be vaccinated against measles from October 15 - November 15, 2007 , door-to-door. All health centers, barangay health stations, hospitals and other temporary immunization sites such as basketball court, town plazas and other identified public places will also offer FREE vaccination services during the campaign period.

Other services to be given include Vitamin A Capsule and deworming tablet.

“Knock-out Tigdas 2007” is a sequel to the 1998 and 2004 “Ligtas Tigdas” mass measles immunization campaigns. This is the second follow-up measles campaign to eliminate measles infection as a public health problem.

What is the over-all objective of the Knock-out Tigdas?

The Knock-out Tigdas is a strategy to reduce the number or pool of children at risk of getting measles or being susceptible to measles and achieve 95% measles immunization coverage. Ultimately, the objective of KOT is to eliminate measles circulation in all communities by 2008.

What does measles elimination mean?

Measles elimination means:

1. Less than one (1) measles case is confirmed measles per one million population.

3. No secondary transmission of measles. This means that when a measles case occurs, measles is not transmitted to others.

Who should be vaccinated?

All children between 9 months to 48 months old ( born October 1, 2003 – January 1,2007) should be vaccinated against measles.

When will it be done?

Immunization among these children will be done on October 15-November 15, 2007.

How will it be done?

Vaccination teams go from door-to-door of every house or every building in search of the targeted children who needs to be vaccinated with a dose of measles vaccines, Vitamin A capsule and deworming drug.

All health centers, barangay health stations, hospitals and other temporary immunization sites such as basketball court, town plazas and other identified public places will also offer FREE vaccination services during the campaign period.

My child has been vaccinated against measles. Is she exempted from this vaccination campaign?

No, she is not. A previously vaccinated child is not exempted from the vaccination campaign because we cannot be sure if her previous vaccination was 100% effective.

Chances are a vaccinated child is already protected, but no one can really be sure. There is 15% vaccine failure when the vaccine is given to 9 months old children. We want to be 100% sure of their protection.

What strategy will be used during the campaign?

It is a door-to-door strategy. The team goes from one-household to another in all areas nationwide.

My child had measles previously, is he exempted in this campaign?

There are many measles-like diseases. We cannot be sure exactly what the child had, especially if the illness occurred years ago. Anyway, the vaccination will not harm a child who already had measles. The effect will also be like a booster vaccination. The previously received measles immunization has formed antibodies, with the booster shot it will strengthened the said antibodies.

Is there any overdose, if my child receives this booster immunization?

Antibodies in the blood which provide protection against disease decrease as the child grows older. Booster vaccinations are needed to raise protection again. Measles vaccination during the said campaign will be a booster vaccination for a previously vaccinated child. The child’s waning internal protection will increase. The child will not harm because there is no vaccine overdose for the measles vaccine. The measles vaccine is even known to enhance overall immunity against other diseases.

What will happen to my child after receiving the measles immunization?

Normally, the child will have slight fever. The fever is a sign that the child’s vaccine is working and is helping the body develop antibodies against measles.

The best thing to do when the child has fever is to give him paracetamol every four (4) hours. Give him plenty of fluids and breastfeed the child. Ensure that the child has enough rest and sleep.

What will happen after the “Knock-out Tigdas 2007”?

To interrupt measles circulation by 2008, ALL children ages 9 months will continue to routinely receive one dose of the measles vaccine together with the vaccines the other disease of the childhood like polio, diphtheria, pertussis, etc. All children with fever and rashes have to be listed and tested to verify the cause of the infection.

ALL 18 months old children will be given a second dose of measles immunization to really ensure that these children are protected against measles infection.

What other services will be given?

Vitamin A capsule will be given to all children 6 months to 71 month old and deworming tablet to 12 months to 71 months old nationwide.

Additional messages:

Once the child is vaccinated, the posterior upper left earlobe will be marked with gentian violet, so do not try to remove for the purpose of validation.

Houses will also be marked, so do not erase.

“I heard that there are cases where the child who was vaccinated who became seriously ill or died. Is this true?

Measles vaccine is very safe. Minor reactions may occur such as fever but in an already immunizes child, this may not occur. The most serious and RARE adverse event following immunization is anaphylaxis which is inherent on the child, not on the vaccines.